NYC potty spots

Got this from Eric Gordon of Beyond Times Square and thought many might find it useful!

The Magic of Porcelain

There is never one when you need one, so you think You just need to know where to look. There are plenty of public toilets to go around. Some are obvious like Barnes and Noble and Starbucks (but beware of Starbucks, many are nasty) and others may not be as easy to find (Police stations and public parks). Below is a listing of rest stops for both groups and individuals in need of some relief.

Good for Groups
The World Financial Center in Battery Park City
Lower concourse of Rockefeller Center
Pier 17 at South Street Seaport
Food Court at Grand Central Terminal
Staten Island Ferry Terminal
The Shops at Columbus Circle
Castle Clinton

Good for individuals
There are bathrooms everywhere if you are on your own. Part of the battle is just being cool and confident about using a bathroom that is not meant for you, such as in a random restaurant. You have to walk in and act like you own the place; like you are supposed to be there and just make your way to the bathroom. If that is not your style, you can take care of business at any of the locations below:
Any of the restrooms listed under groups above
Almost any hotel (go for the five star ones)
Many bars will let you use them because they do not know who is coming or going
NYC Public Toilet in Greenly Square (used to be .50c, now it is free)
Penn Station
Port Authority
Several in Central Park
547 6th Avenue, 3rd floor, 4th door on the right when you exit the elevator. The key is under the blue tile to the left of the door. DO NOT FORGET TO PUT IT BACK, OR I WILL FIND YOU.

TIP: It cannot hurt to carry some extra tissues. You never know when the TP will run dry.

I do want to mention special something that is happening right now in NYC. The wonderful people at Charmin set up free and very clean public toilets at 1540 Broadway (between 45th and 46th Sts) from November 23, to January 1, 2010 (until 2:00 am). So for all the crowds in NYC there is always a clean toilet available in midtown. Besides being clean there are six rolls of Charmin Toilet Paper, an ipod stero playing tunes and soap for your hands. In addition when your mission is complete you can get your picture taken.


So enjoy that third cup of coffee or that extra fiber bar, you have toilet knowledge and knowledge is comfort.


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Thank you for reading.
Please email us at comments@btsq.com.

Beyond Times Square is a receptive tour company specializing in the five boroughs of New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley. We provide our group and individual clients with unique and memorable experiences in a friendly and professional manner. We achieve this by listening to what our clients want and incorporating their wishes along with our expertise into our travel programs and other products.

Contact us at 800.999.8160, skype: eric.gordon311 or info@btsq.com

top 5 bargain destinations for Winter 2009/2010 - #5

Los Cabos

On the peaceful tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Los Cabos has been a longtime favorite among Americans seeking natural beauty, great water sports, and nightlife. This winter, a noteworthy airfare sale and dozens of vacation packages join forces to offer more Los Cabos for less.

Vacation packages are another way to make a winter trip to Los Cabos more affordable. We have a Book Early and Save offer, with discounts up to 50 percent off for air-and-hotel packages, and rates from $375 for roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles and four nights' accommodations. US Airways is offering up to $100 off Mexico vacation packages booked by November 23 for travel through March.

top 5 bargain destinations for Winter 2009/2010

Bargain #4
Budapest

Budapest was made for winter travel. Hundreds of thermal springs feed public baths and spa hotels around the city, offering endless ways to while away chilly winter days. Plenty of indoor shopping and sightseeing add to the appeal. This winter, air-and-hotel packages offer the best value, though airfare sales and generally reasonable hotel rates provide affordable options as well. And since Hungary isn't yet using the euro, it tends to be less expensive than many other European countries.

Vacation packages provide good value for the Budapest-bound this coming winter. At press time, Go-Today was advertising six night air-and-hotel winter packages to Budapest from $679, and multi-country packages that tack on cities such as Vienna and Prague for not much more. Gate1Travel has an eight-day Budapest and Prague package from $849.

There are ways to save on a-la-carte bookings as well. Delta currently has sale fares between New York and Budapest for $359 each way. Since the city is also well served by European low-cost carriers, combining a cheap fare to a major European hub with intra-European service to Budapest can be an affordable option. EasyJet flies from Paris and London, Ryanair from Dublin, Wizzair from a number of major European cities including London and Madrid, and Germanwings from London and elsewhere.

Los Cabos tomorrow

top 5 bargain destinations for Winter 2009/2010 (cont.)

#3
St. Lucia

Among Caribbean islands, St. Lucia has always retained an upscale, romantic allure. This winter though, you don't need to splurge on a honeymoon to enjoy the best of the island. The rough economy brought prices down this year, and new low-cost carrier service has put St. Lucia within reach of more travelers.

Late last month, JetBlue started new nonstop service three times a week between New York and St. Lucia with rates from $129 each way. The airline is promoting the new service with three-night air-and-hotel packages from $369 per person.

Hotels and resorts around the island are offering their own winter specials, including plenty of options under $100 and discounted rates or added amenities at popular resorts. For instance, winter rates with daily breakfast for two at the Fox Grove Inn range from $70 to $85. At the Marigot Beach Club—with average nightly rates of $237 according to SmarterTravel sister site Trip Advisor— winter rates for a beachfront studio are $181 a night.

Top 5 bargain destinations for Winter 2009/2010 (cont.)

#2
Salt Lake City

Skiing vacations get pricey fast. But Salt Lake City and the surrounding mountain destinations stand out as an affordable winter vacation spot this year. Domestic airfare sales and ski-friendly offers make getting there a bargain, and more discounts on hotels and ski expenses can bring down the overall cost substantially.

Southwest and United are currently running airfare sales that include Salt Lake City, and Frontier just ended a promotion and will likely roll out another soon. Southwest also has this ski destination special: Book air-and-hotel packages by November 26 for travel through February 10, and every second person flies free to Salt Lake City. Plus, the fourth night is free, as is the third lift ticket day. The offer is valid at more than a half dozen ski resorts near Salt Lake City.

Many hotels and resorts are also offering a fourth night of lodging and skiing free when you book a four-night stay before December 15 for travel through spring. And, more hotels are offering early winter discounts of 10 to 35 percent.

Top 5 bargain destinations for Winter 2009/2010

From Smarter Travel:
by Christine Sarkis, SmarterTravel.com Staff - November 12, 2009

"Whether winter calls for sun or snow in your book, there are plenty of deals to put a vacation on your horizon. As destinations attempt to pull themselves out of the recession funk, they're offering winter deals worth serious consideration.

I've monitored trends, industry news, and sale patterns to point you in the direction of places that offer the best bargain value for the coming season. Below you'll find examples of deals presently available for winter trips. Like all deals, these are sure to expire; however, a little research on your part can yield similar results when you're ready to book.

Key West

Good deals bask in the sun in Key West, Florida. New air service from two airlines put a winter tan within easy reach. And, a free companion airfare deal for future travel adds value to a trip.

AirTran will become the first low-cost carrier to serve Key West when it begins nonstop service from Orlando and same-plane service from Atlanta on December 17. Flights are scheduled to operate four times each week with fares from $119 each way. Also on December 17, Delta will expand its service between Atlanta and Key West, offering daily flights between the cities.

The well-known Cheeca Lodge & Spa will reopen on December 15 after a major renovation. The property is offering introductory winter specials of 10 to 30 percent off room rates. Not affordable enough? There are also seasonal discounts at more hotels around town.

A stay in Key West can help you save on your next trip as well. The Florida Keys Tourism Council has teamed up with hotels in Key West and other nearby cities to offer free companion airfare vouchers with qualifying hotel stays. The vouchers are good for future travel in the Continental U.S. on participating airlines through April, 2011. Booking restrictions are detailed on the vouchers.

tomorrow - Salt Lake City
(to read the full article go to http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/top-five-bargain-destinations-for-winter-2009-2010.html?id=3826729

NYC Trivia

This came in today from Eric G of Beyond TImes Square. I found it fun and interesting and hope you do, too!

"On my desk I have a lot of things. Papers, contracts, to do lists, maps, a computer, a phone, speakers, an ipod charger, last week's lunch & so on. I also have several books and many of course have to do with New York City I though this week I would share a few bits of NYC Trivia. They are good tid-bits for your itineraries and fun facts for the motorcoach ride.


New York has 660 miles of subway track.
There are over 18,000 eating establishment in NYC. Too bad we do not have as many public toilets.
The New York Post was established by Alexander Hamilton in 1803 and is the oldest running newspaper in the USA.
The real name of New York City is the City of Greater of New York, but tha takes too long to say.
There are 6,374.6 miles of streets in New York City.
During the time of slavery in the United States, New York City was second behind Charleston in how much slavery penetrated everyday life. (Not something we are proud of, but an important piece of history, not many people know).
The actual name of the Statue of Liberty is Liberty Enlightening the World, but that is also is too long.
The nation's largest public Halloween parade is the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade. It is lots of fun.

There are almost 13,000 traffic lights in New York City. You will get stuck at one.
The Bronx is the only borough in the City of Greater of New York (seems long, right?), that is connected to the lower 48 states. The other four boroughs are all islands.
The best oysters in the world used to come from New York Harbor. (17th and 18th Centuries)
Oreo Cookies were developed and produced in 1912 in a factory in the Manhattan neighborhood of Chelsea.
$362,201 is the cost for the city permit for one year to sell hotdogs outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art on the Northside of the sidewalk. That's a lot of mustard.
Hellmann's Mayonnaise was introduced in Hellmann's Delicatessen in 1912 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan
There are 55 species of bird in Central Park."